Re: Digital switchover question in Comcast Cable TV http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r21441886 en Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:54:00 EDT Sun, 21 Mar 2010 21:54:00 EDT Re: Digital switchover question http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21447353 The Q : Channels 2 through 24, correct, thanks! ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21447353 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 15:54:10 EDT Re: Digital switchover question http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21445176 Rob :
said by dishrich See Profile :

said by Rob See Profile :

Despite what Comcast has been saying, you WILL need a digital box once Comcast has completed the digital migration in your area.

Some areas in Michigan, for example, have already gone through the digital transition, and now require a box to access any channel above 24.
But ONLY if they want things above broadcast basics, no???
Right. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21445176 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:25:04 EDT Re: Digital switchover question http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21445175 Rob :
said by The Q See Profile :

But to access channels 1 through 24 I am guessing that no box is required. That is the question.
In most markets, channel 1 is On demand. You will need a box for that. 2-24 can be accessed without a box, in those markets that have gone through the digital migration.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21445175 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 09:24:52 EDT Re: Digital switchover question http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21444976 The Q : But to access channels 1 through 24 I am guessing that no box is required. That is the question. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21444976 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 08:34:09 EDT Re: Digital switchover question http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21444840 anon : Comcast is required by its various franchising agreements/federal agreements and some other laws which i am sure someone here well correct me on to convert only basic cable to analog. Basic Cable being NBC FOX CBS ABC and the local access channels. The other channels still being broadcast in analog are up to the local comcast system and corporate policy. In Michigan where I work for comcast the network and head end techs have been spreading the rumor that by 2010 only NBC FOX CBS ABC will be analog along with that government channel no one watches. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21444840 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:44:21 EDT Re: Digital switchover question http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21444799 schja01 : Will Comcast convert the new digital OTA signals to analog for those who are currently receiving those analog channels via Comcast's analog without a converter box?

I'm referring to the base channels which will become digital. I don't expect analog equivalents of the .1,.2,.3 new channels but I hope the digital channels 2, 5, 7, etc. will be translated to analog for analog only Comcast subscribers.

Has Comcast made a statement on this?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21444799 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 07:27:17 EDT Re: Digital switchover question http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21443392 Greg_Z : OTA Digital Switchover has nothing to do with the CATV industry, other then they are using it to confuse consumers, and move the analogs into Digital Exclusive encrypted tiers.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21443392 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:17:11 EDT Re: Digital switchover question http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21443313 dishrich :
said by Rob See Profile :

Despite what Comcast has been saying, you WILL need a digital box once Comcast has completed the digital migration in your area.

Some areas in Michigan, for example, have already gone through the digital transition, and now require a box to access any channel above 24.
But ONLY if they want things above broadcast basics, no???]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21443313 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:06:15 EDT Re: Digital switchover question http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21443047 sansri88 : You're in Cherry Hill, NJ...which means you fall under the NJ/Philly region...which means nothing will probably happen in the short term because they don't care about adding HD here.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21443047 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:17:46 EDT Re: Digital switchover question http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21442563 Rob : Despite what Comcast has been saying, you WILL need a digital box once Comcast has completed the digital migration in your area.

Some areas in Michigan, for example, have already gone through the digital transition, and now require a box to access any channel above 24.
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CheckSite.us | YourIP.US ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21442563 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:50:40 EDT Re: Digital switchover question http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21442230 Greg2600 : Verizon Fios, for example, is transmitting channels only in digital form, not analog. FIOS requires a box on every TV. They charge $3.99 for the smaller, less functional boxes. You get all the SD channels, no guide, no HD channels, no on demand. Comcast is beginning test market roll out of the same kind of setup. They are using small boxes, with similar functionality as Verizon's, but may cost less per month. Comcast is not doing this for the Feb 2009 deal, but because Analog channels require more of the signal feed than digital. Therefore, if they can take away most if not all of the analog channels, Comcast can offer much more Digital and HD channels. They must do this to remain competitive with FIOS. I have no idea when the Philly area would get this. Probably a year off, Comcast has not said. They are testing in Oregon at the moment. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21442230 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:44:50 EDT Re: Digital switchover question http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21441952 ajcstr : This is the article that was in the Phila inquirer yesterday:

»www.philly.com/philly/business/34535164.html

You are right, I did miss this:
"Comcast's timing of its digital migration is independent of the government program for over-the-air broadcasters"

So Feb is not the conversion date for me, but this is the statement that got me:
"Comcast has developed special offers, code-named Project Cavalry, to keep nondigital customers from bolting to competitors as it goes almost all digital. Customers who face a mandatory digital upgrade will be eligible for a free cable box and two free digital-to-analog converter boxes, or DTAs, Harrar said.
Comcast says it could distribute 25 million DTAs, which are about the size of two decks of cards, to customers in the next year or two."

This is leading me to believe that some type of converter will be needed when they do switch over. I get channels 2-99 on those 2 tv's now (without boxes) but I am guessing this is because they are still analog and I won't even get those once they are digital channels also.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21441952 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:50:36 EDT Re: Digital switchover question http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21441886 ak3883 : If you have cable plugged into those 2 TVs without a cable box, then NO the digital TV transition on Feb 17th 2009 does NOT affect them. If you do not have cable plugged into them at all, and only an antenna, then yes it will affect you if they are older TVs.

A cable box is NOT the same as these DTV converter boxes. The DTV boxes are ONLY for OTA television received with an antenna.

Cable has their own plans which do include moving some channels over to digital only. But it has nothing to do with next year's transition.

If you are asking this, you might find it useful to watch one of the local Philly newscasts tonight at 6PM, they will be answering questions about the DTV transition, since PA is doing a statewide "test" at 6:25PM tonight. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21441886 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:37:14 EDT Digital switchover question http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21441769 ajcstr : I currently have 4 televisions, 1 HD 3 analog. I have one HD converter box, one digital and the other two TV's have no converter box.

Will those two tv's still function after the digital switchover? I was under the impression that they would, since I have digital cable now, but I read an article in the paper yesterday that implied I will need converter boxes on those also once the changeover occurs.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,21441769 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:17:28 EDT